Meth Addiction

Meth addiction is a problem that has infiltrated every city and state in America. People in the city or rural communities are no more or less protected, meth does not discriminate and abuse of the drug as a whole rises dramatically with each passing year. In 1999, 4.3% of the population in the United States reported trying meth at least one time within the past 12 months. Meth use is of epidemic proportions all across the U.S.; however, it is a particular problem across the Midwest, meth accounts for nearly 90% of all drug-related arrests.

Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug which imitates certain chemicals found in the brain that influence message transmissions within the pleasure center. A person can suffer from a meth addiction the very first time they use the drug, scientists believe this is because meth produces a pleasurable effect similar to adrenaline. Due to the various psychological reactions, a user experiences immediate gratification and this makes the body crave the drug over and over again.

Over time, a user will develop intense cravings and meth overtakes all areas of normal life. Life becomes diminished and unimportant as the grips of meth addiction take over, the user strives to feed the addiction and everything else becomes secondary. Continued use of meth changes the brain, as a result of chronic use, production of certain chemicals become lowered which affects perception and normal brain function.

There are certain effects that can be attributed to a meth addiction which include, but are not limited to the following:

• Jumpy eyes which dart from side to side.
• Loss of interest in normal activities, sex, sleep, food and everything else.
• Tweaking, this involves compulsive behavior such as scratching or digging at the skin.
• “Sketched out,” a term used to describe a user displaying aggression, nervousness, mood swings, irritability and agitation
• Sleep deprivation
• Insomnia
• Delusions
• Violent outbursts
• Hallucinations
• Some users have a strong and unpleasant chemical odor of the body
• User will exhibit listlessness, jitteriness, and possibly experience severe depression
• Commit crimes to be able to fund the addiction

The worst long-term effect of methamphetamine use is addiction which is a chronic, harmful, dangerous disease. A chronic addiction to meth can result in antisocial behaviors which can manifestation itself into erratic violent behavior. Other long-term effects that are seen with a methamphetamine addiction are brain damage which is still a field being currently researched by scientists.

A methamphetamine addiction can be a life-threatening condition which results in heart damage, skin ulcerations and infections, coupled with the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C. The personal damage from an addiction to meth can be staggering and devastating. A person with a chronic meth abuse problem can suffer from a wide variety of mental and health-related problems, which if left untreated can result in death.

Successful treatment for an addiction to meth involves the user seeking detoxification. Once detox has been completed, the addict needs to go through a program at a comprehensive rehabilitation facility utilizing counseling, therapy and drug awareness education as treatment modalities.

If you or someone you love suffers from an addiction to meth, there is help available. Please contact us today for further information.

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